Card Number 121, Eliza Weathersby, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-4) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cameo Cigarettes 1880s

This card, "Number 121, Eliza Weathersby," was produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co. around the turn of the 20th century as part of a series promoting Cameo Cigarettes. Immediately striking is the theatrical staging. The composition is arranged with Weathersby as the focal point, framed by an ornate rug and classical column, creating a structured yet artificial space. Her pose, with a hand on her hip and a raised knee, projects confidence but also hints at the performative nature of the image. The sepia tones lend the card a sense of nostalgia, highlighting the artificiality of the constructed scene. This aestheticization can be seen as a reflection of the burgeoning consumer culture, where images become commodities, divorced from their original context. In semiotic terms, Weathersby becomes a signifier—her image used to sell not just cigarettes but also a lifestyle and set of cultural values. This small card, then, offers a glimpse into the complex interplay between art, commerce, and representation in modern society, challenging fixed notions of value and authenticity.